Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache

Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache is a Barossa Valley red blend of 84% Shiraz and 16% Grenache at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2018 vintage earned 93 points from Halliday's Wine Companion, and the wine has consistently scored 90+ points from Robert Parker, placing it among the Barossa's most respected mid-range reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  Blend: 84% Shiraz, 16% Grenache  |  Winery: Glaetzer Wines

Production & Heritage

Glaetzer Wines is led by winemaker Ben Glaetzer, a member of one of the Barossa Valley's most established winemaking families. The Wallace draws Shiraz from vines aged 50 to 80 years and Grenache from vines reaching 50 to 100 years old—deeply rooted bush vines that produce concentrated, low-yield fruit. The two varieties receive distinctly different cellar treatments: Shiraz is aged for 16 months in used oak hogsheads (80% French, 20% American), while the Grenache sees no oak at all. This deliberate separation preserves the bright, animated fruit character of the Grenache and allows it to lift and enliven the darker, more structured Shiraz component in the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with overt dark cherry and raspberry, followed by cracked pepper and star anise. Deeper layers reveal clove, cedar, and a subtle savory herb quality that speaks to the old-vine fruit sources.

Taste: The entry is lush with blackcurrant and blueberry, giving way to a mid-palate of licorice, mulberry, and sweet baking spices. Red currant brightness from the Grenache component lifts the darker Shiraz fruit, creating a balance between richness and freshness that keeps the wine animated rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium to long, with silky tannins and a spicy, crushed-pepper trail. Lingering flavors of dark berry and licorice slowly recede, leaving a clean, supple impression.

How to Drink Wallace Shiraz Grenache

Best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F). A 30-minute decant opens up the aromatics significantly, particularly in younger vintages. Pour into a large-bowled glass to let the pepper and spice notes develop fully.

For food-driven settings, this wine pairs naturally with grilled and braised dishes. A Lamb Shank Braise echoes the wine's savory herbs and dark fruit. Chargrilled Ribeye with Pepper Sauce mirrors the cracked pepper and licorice character. Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with star anise glaze plays directly into the wine's spice profile.

Best For

• Introducing someone to premium Barossa Valley reds without a steep price commitment
• Pairing with a winter dinner party centered on braised or grilled red meats
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine Australian blends
• Building a cellar collection of Barossa Valley expressions across multiple vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wallace Shiraz Grenache taste like? It leads with dark cherry, blackcurrant, and blueberry before moving into licorice, cracked pepper, and baking spice. The Grenache adds a bright red-fruit lift and freshness that keeps the wine lively, finishing with silky tannins and good length.

How does Wallace Shiraz Grenache compare to E&E Black Pepper Shiraz? The E&E Black Pepper Shiraz—created by Ben Glaetzer's father Colin Glaetzer—is a 100% Shiraz positioned as a flagship Barossa wine at a significantly higher price point. Wallace sits at a more accessible tier and uses unoaked Grenache to add freshness and aromatic lift that a pure Shiraz does not deliver.

Is Wallace Shiraz Grenache good for cellaring? With fruit sourced from vines up to 100 years old and structured tannins from 16 months in oak hogsheads, the wine can develop well over 5–8 years in proper storage, though it drinks well on release.

Where is Wallace Shiraz Grenache made? It is produced by Glaetzer Wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia—one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions, known for its warm climate and concentration of old-vine Shiraz and Grenache plantings.

What foods pair well with Wallace Shiraz Grenache? Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's savory depth. Chargrilled beef with pepper sauce mirrors its cracked-pepper and licorice notes. Smoked brisket matches its dark fruit intensity. Aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar echo its structure. Slow-roasted eggplant with spices works well for a vegetarian option.

What sizes does Wallace Shiraz Grenache come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Wallace Shiraz Grenache worth the price? Wallace positions as a mid-range Barossa Valley red that punches well above its weight, drawing from genuinely old vines and earning consistent scores of 90 or above from critics including James Halliday and Robert Parker. Within the broader Glaetzer portfolio, it sits below the ultra-premium Amon-Ra and Anaperenna but delivers serious Barossa character at a more approachable tier.

Why Wallace Shiraz Grenache?

The defining choice in this wine is what the winemaker chose not to do: the Grenache component receives zero oak exposure, a deliberate decision to preserve the purity and animation of fruit from vines up to a century old. That unoaked Grenache lifts and brightens the Shiraz in a way that sets Wallace apart from the many oak-heavy Barossa reds in its price range. Consistent critical recognition—93 points from Halliday's Wine Companion, 90+ from Robert Parker—confirms the blend's quality across multiple vintages. For drinkers seeking genuine old-vine Barossa complexity without the density of a full Shiraz, Wallace occupies a distinctive and well-earned position.